Thoughts about Agua

It rained last night. That is an exciting event here in the Texas Hill Country because when it rains, it usually rains hard and it comes with thunder and lightening and wind. We are on our 50th something day of temperatures in the 100’s. It has been one hot, dry summer - definitely one of the hottest since we moved to Texas. Plants are looking pretty dry, brown and dead BUT I think things are going to start to cool down some soon.

It is amazing how it can rain only for a short time and everything starts to green up again- even the plants in the garden are happier when they receive the rains from the skies then the hose. The ground also remains damp and moist longer when it rains verses when you water it with a sprinkler. That is something you don’t have to think about all that often growing up in the mossy Pacific Northwest.

Water it beneficial for survival but so is spiritual water for a Christian.

I am talking about the living water you receive when you accept Jesus Christ into your life- the Holy Spirit. It is what makes you THRIVE as a follower of Jesus Christ.

The world would like nothing more then to bleach and chlorinate your faith for the rest of the world. It would like nothing more for you to follow its customs and doctrines. It would like nothing more for you to muddy the lines between Christianity and this world so people don’t know the difference.

I am not going to “water down” my faith for the rest of world because I cannot help but to speak about God. He gives me excitement about life and peace in troubling times. He provides when the world says there is no way to provide. God cures when the world says there is no cure. He is wonderfully God even when in times where I have been so wonderfully awful. So often lately I feel as the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “And I can't stop! If I say I'll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones! I am weary of holding it in!” Jeremiah 20:9

God wants us to live out our faith in the “fullness” he intended.

God does not want your faith to be dictated by the “tap water” of this world. He wants you to drink, eat, breathe and move in his “spiritual nutrients” that are beneficial to your life as a Christian.

If we are 90% water (correct me on that if I am wrong) then wouldn’t it make sense in our Christian walk, that we live on at least 90% on what God provides - not just physically but spiritually as well?

Jesus shows us if we come to him we will never be thirsty again but if we look to the world to quench our thirsts we will become thirsty again. The world makes us thirstier! It is always trying to find new things to catch our attention but the new things never satisfy and they don’t last. They are just old shadows of previous things and themes. God, as I have said before, over shadows all the things of this world and makes them unimportant and even useless in the mind of a Christian.

Jesus says, “But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life." John 4:14

Religion gets old but God does not get old. God only gets old in our lives if we set limits on God in our lives. You want life to get thirsty real quick don’t expect anything from God. If you want your cup overflowing then seek God.

Jesus said, “You must love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Matthew 22:37 Do you ever wonder why he said that?

I believe he said that because with God you can never lose in the end, you are satisfied, and you will never have any personal regrets.

Jesus said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:25-26

Do you ever wonder why he said that?

Are you going to exchange your soul for reputation? Are you going to exchange your soul for money and profit? Are you going to exchange the useless stuff of this world for what God has to offer and give? Are you going to exchange the knocks-offs and idols of this world for the real God and Savior - who offer you the Spirit to overcome all things including death?

If you are holding out on God in any part of your life, you will not experience all that God has in store for your life- not only that but the parts you are clinging to and holding back from God will slowly fall apart.

In my time being a Christian I have seen people cling onto things in their life, that they knew God had a problem with, and slowly they were led away from God, their family and friends by those things.

I have seen and heard stories of people working hard to gain riches and some kind of reputation only to find it worthless and waste of time and energy- fortunately they found Christ through someone living out their faith.

How can we possibly be salt and light to anyone if we are swaying this way and that way in the oceans of humanity and not being consistent?

I am not judging or condemning my brothers and sisters in Christ but I have a genuine concern for those who are whish washy with their faith. Ask yourself where is your heart, mind, and soul? Where are your eyes looking?

God does not want His people to be lukewarm Christians. Jesus said it himself:
Revelation 3:15- 19 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, `I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy gold from me--gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

Don’t be ashamed of your faith in Jesus Christ. There is nothing to be ashamed about! He is Lord. He is the only Savior and way into heaven for all our friends and family. He is the one who gave you His Spirit so in Him you may overcome the world.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

You cannot be on the fence when you are a Christian. If God has told you something in his word and/or through his Holy Spirit then you better not just listen but there better be some follow through.

Not saying you will never makes mistakes but when you do make mistakes you make those mistakes “right” by apologizing to the person you have wronged and then apologizing to God.

Be consistent, up front, genuine and humble.

1 Peter 2:1-3 “So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing. You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.

John 1:13 “They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan--this rebirth comes from God.”

For the passion and drive come from God and to continue in the passion and drive we must stay with God for the garden hose water of the world just won’t do.